Bean-support.



' vice is distended in normal position.

UNITED STATES BATENT OFFICE.

BEAN-SUPPORT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

ratenteol July 17, 1906.

Application filed March 5.1906. Serial No, 304.318.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR W. CHIsHoLM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Breckenridge, in the county of Gratiot and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in BeanSupports, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved support for beans or other farm products, and is designed to hold the same spaced from the ground during the drying or curing process. The object of the invention is to provide a support of this character which can be readily collapsed when not in use, so as to occupy a minimum amount of space, and which is so formed as to be very cheaply and economically manufactured.

With this object in view the invention comprises, essentially, a peculiarly-constructed supporting-frame, collapsible legs therefor, and brace members to hold the legs in normal position.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Figure l'is a top plan view of the supporting device. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the framework, showing one of the legs in a folded position.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

In the present instance the supportingframe is in the form of a rim 1, the opposite sides of which are connected by intersecting transverse members 2, which form a wire-netting of the usual construction. At approximately the center of the netting there is located a brace-engaging member 1n the nature of a loop or ring 3, which is adapted to engage With the braces for the legs when the d}?- T e legs 4 are pivotally connected to the rim 1 so as to fold against the frame when the device is not in use, and these legs are held in normal position by means of the diagonal braces 5. The outer ends of the braces 5 are loosely connected to the legs 4, while the inner ends are provided with hook members 6, by means of which they are detachably connected to the loop 3. These braces are of such a length that when the support is distended the legs 4 will be inclined slightly outward, so that any weight upon the support will tend to force the legs apart and draw the hook members 6 into a close engagement with the loop 3. In the preferred construction the legs 4 are formed out of a single strip of material and comprise, essentially, two spaced members which flare outwardly and have their upper ends formed with eyes which engage with the rim '1, while their lower ends are bent outwardly to form shoes 7, which bear against the ground. The two spaced members comprising the legs are connected by cross-bars 8, to which the outer ends of the braces 5 are secured.

In order to fold the support so as to store it when not in use, the hook members 6 are disengaged from the loop 3 and the legs 4 folded back against the supporting-frame.

Attention is directed to the fact that the rim 1 serves the double function of a reinforcing medium for the supporting-frame and also as a member to which the legs are pivoted.

In order to hold the beans in position upon the support, a railing 9 is provided which is located somewhat above the rim 1 and is slightly larger in diameter than the said rim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a supporting-framework comprising a rim and transverse members connecting opposite sides of the rim, legs pivotally secured to the rim and adapted to fold inwardly against the supporting members, inwardly-extending brace members ,for holding the legs in a distended position, one end of each of the brace members being pivotally connected to one of the legs, and a brace-engaging member located at approximately the center of the framework and having a detachable engagement with the free end of each of the beforementioned brace members.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a supporting-framework comprising a rim and transverse members connecting opposite sides of the rim, a loop located at approximately thecenter of the framework, legs pivotally connected to the rim, and brace members having one end con- IIO aloop located at approximately the center of l spaced members, transverse members conthe frame, legs pivotally connected to the framework, and brace members having one end secured to the legs while the opposite end has a detachable connection With the loop.

4. In a device of the character described,

' the combination of a supporting-framework comprising a rim and transverse members connecting the opposite sides of the rim, a loop located at approximately the center of the frame, a series of legs pivotally connected to the rim, said legs being formed out of a single piece of material and comprising necting the spaced members, and braces having one end pivotally connected to the transverse members while their opposite ends are formed with hooks which have a detachable connection with the beforementioned loop.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR W. CHISHOLM. [L. 8.] 

